Chapter 137. North Watch (2)

"I'm, I'm sorry...!"

I was somewhat surprised by the interviewer's sudden action of kneeling and apologizing, yet my face betrayed none of it.

Considering my years of acting experience, something like 'this' was trivial.

The angle of my eyes was about 150 degrees.

Raising just one corner of my mouth approximately 1 cm.

This resulted in a detached, glaring expression, and the 'color of fear' above the interviewer's head grew more intense.

However, the interviewer's gaze was not directed at my face but slightly lower...

'... Ah.'

Upon closer inspection, when I reached out to retrieve the 'Blind Eyes' insignia, my hand lingered near the 'scabbard.'

Perhaps, no, definitely...

Hmm. I must have put on quite the heartfelt performance. How embarrassing.

When I touched the 'scabbard,' the interviewer misunderstood, and perhaps due to some guilty conscience, ended up kneeling in this manner.

'Oho...'

Yet, this wasn't such a bad situation.

I had no idea what this fellow had done, but it was perfect for my purposes.

"Please stand up, it's okay."

I spoke as kindly as possible.

Like a saint absolving the sins of a villain, with a benevolent smile.

Thud!!

However, my demeanor seemed to frighten the interviewer more, prompting them to forcefully bow their head to the ground.

No, this isn't what I intended. Raise your head, fool!

"By the way, what is your name?"

In an attempt to change the subject and lighten the tense atmosphere, I asked.

"Ugh, kuyoook...!"

Instead, the interviewer looked as if they were about to foam at the mouth from fear.

This guy might just die at this rate.

But he should explain the situation to me so that I can respond accordingly.

"Can't you hear me? I'm starting to get annoyed, so let's stop this."

In a voice tinged with slight annoyance, the interviewer shot upright.

"There are no third chances. What is your name?"

"... Roomz."

"Very well, Sir Roomz, I wonder if you know why I've come here?"

The interviewer, Roomz, nodded, likely aware of something incriminating he might have done.

I guessed it was some form of corruption, like accepting bribes to send criminals or unauthorized individuals to the 'Northern Front' without proper evaluation.

"Hand me the records."

"... What?"

"The list of individuals who passed through this place."

At my words, he trembled and handed over a stack of documents from the table.

"Hmm..."

I let out a serious sigh and began perusing the list.

I wasn't particularly interested in its contents.

It was merely a tactic to exert pressure on the interviewer.

Even without showing the 'Blind Eyes' insignia, it was important to create a scenario where we could bypass the 'Northern Front' without being reported.

I was averse to dealing with Ordwin's nagging.

If our names weren't on this list, it would be a useful excuse later on.

"Certainly, the list shows no particular issues... Hmm?"

A familiar name caught my eye.

【Bayer Academy, knight Graduating Class】

Ah, come to think of it, it's that season.

It's the time of year when the knight class students from the academy experience the 'Northern Front'.

Checking elsewhere yielded no irregularities on the list.

No, there was one.

"Zahard is missing."

I murmured to myself.

To head to the 'Blizzard Forest', one must pass through here, north Watch, to reach the Northern Front.

So it should be recorded on this list.

"Ugh, uwok..."

Roomz slightly groaned in pain due to the aura I was subtly exuding.

So, Zahard was secretly allowed through.

Well, that made sense.

'Zahard' was a knight and mercenary known for his work on the Northern Front and had quite a network due to his decent character.

The training was infamously grueling, with five out of ten recruits reportedly deserting.

However, if one could endure, the path to success was wide open.

Returning much stronger than before.

Roomks the interviewer appeared to be one of those who achieved success through such trials.

"Well then, Sir Roomz, you know Zahard is a 'criminal' guilty of a crime akin to treason, don't you?"

I placed the list back on the table and quietly spoke to Roomz.

"You must know the crime without needing me to say it—treason-like behavior..."

I hadn't even finished speaking when Roomz's face was flushed with panic.

"And how, pray tell, might I..."

Gulp.

I whispered softly at the sound of Roomz swallowing nervously.

"There is a way to keep this quiet, Sir Roomz."

"... And what might that be?"

"It involves allowing myself and two others to access the Northern Front without reporting us there."

According to Ordwin, a rumor of us heading to the 'Northern Front' for personal reasons mustn't spread.

The place housed the Third Prince, caldrac de Adratan.

If the expedition wasn't directed by the Royal Family, 'Blind Eyes' should always maintain neutrality.

Contemplating that, I proposed this to Roomz, and he trembled again.

"Th-three people are too many, Sir Yulian..."

"Hoho, Sir Roomz. It seems you still don't fully understand, so let me reiterate."

Meeting his gaze directly, I saw my reflection in his eyes.

... Although exceedingly handsome, the visage was indeed dastardly.

I've grown accustomed by now.

"I'm not asking you."

Cling─

With the sound of the scabbard clattering, he began nodding fiercely.

He still wished to live a long life.

***

"The evaluation is done. We should be able to leave North Watch and head to the Northern Front by tomorrow."

I informed the two after exiting the examination room.

"Tomorrow, huh... Do we really have to go?"

"Do you not want to?"

When I inquired to Felkhor, who expressed discontent, he hastily shook his head.

"As long as I'm with Sir Yulian, I fear nothing!"

It seemed even the mighty 'Strong Arm' Felkhor no longer flinched at saying absurd things.

This was a fellow consumed by revenge not long ago, but now he's changed so much.

"Elder brother Yulian, if we're setting off tomorrow, how shall we spend today?"

"If we're not camping on the streets, we should find lodging for the night."

At the word lodging, Joshua sighed with relief.

Joshua had grown accustomed to the repetition of pitching a tent and marching, yet it remained hard work.

"In that case, I know a decent inn. How about resting there?"

Felkhor, you do?

When did you visit here?

As I looked at him curiously, he nodded.

"I visited the Northern Front as a member of the Azure Lion Order. Don't you remember, Sir Yulian?"

"What memory are you referring to?"

"Didn't we have quite the argument then?"

I honestly didn't remember. I had little recollection to begin with.

"It was likely your fault. Our elder brother Yulian wouldn't have committed any wrongdoing."

Upon hearing Felkhor's statement, Joshua chimed in abruptly.

While he sounded as if he was being supportive, I knew fully well, Joshua did not truly respect me.

It was just an attempt to intimidate Felkhor by invoking my reputation.

On any other day, I would have called him out.

"I don't want to hear any scolding from someone who wet himself fighting a demon at the Firente Gorge."

"When will you stop bringing up that nonsense!"

"The fact that you have only one eye seems to make your vision poor."

"... What?"

Though the bickering between Joshua with his scowling expression and the rough-featured Felkhor whose face appeared even more menacing was quite entertaining...

"Please keep it down."

As it showed signs of escalating, I intervened to restrain the two.

Felkhor offered an awkward smile and retreated, while Joshua did likewise.

"Then, Felkhor, make arrangements for one night's stay at the inn you mentioned."

"Yes, understood."

"I have some errands to run, so I will excuse myself. While I'm gone, I hope you both will keep quiet."

"... Elder brother, do you have somewhere to be?"

Imagining Felkhor and Joshua staying in a room together while knowing they do not get along, the thought clearly displeased Joshua, as evidenced by his displeased expression.

Thanks to his courteous tone, I detected an undertone of 'Where exactly are you going?'

He couldn't change his nature.

"As we're here by chance, there are some things I need to retrieve from North Watch."

"Things to retrieve...?"

"Yes."

As I nodded, Joshua gazed at me with puzzled eyes.

No matter how much he stared, he wouldn't gain any insight.

***

The reason I left Felkhor and Joshua without saying anything about my leave was to retrieve a relic that existed here in 'North Watch'.

Its name was 'Snow Rabbit's Ring'.

The effect of this holy artifact was remarkably straightforward.

It greatly enhances resistance to 'cold' and subtly boosts metabolism, making it a bodily enhancement relic.

The only downside, if it could be called that, was that heightened metabolism made one feel significantly hungrier.

In order to operate in the Northern Front, while not essential, it was a highly useful relic.

Its effectiveness here surpassed that of most legendary relics.

"This should be the place."

I stopped before an accessory store located on the outskirts of North Watch's downtown area.

It wasn't exactly sophisticated, nor was it rustic, yet I entered the building after glancing at its unimposing sign.

"Welcome!"

Inside, a lady with an earnest look who seemed to be a clerk greeted me.

The sight closely resembled the ones from 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Right Now〉.

Albeit, this time, I was not a 'Sword Saint'.

"I'd like to browse."

"Oh! Sure thing. You seem like someone new around here... Are you from the capital?"

The curious clerk inquired.

Without any ulterior motive, her voice revealed pure inquiry.

"Yes."

"I see, I see! I figured you must be from the capital because you look so genteel!"

The earnest-looking lady clapped as she admired 'Yulian's' face, grinning broadly.

Apparently, she didn't know 'Yulian', or the rumor of the 'Smiling Executioner' hadn't reached here.

"Just let me know the number by the display case, and I'll get it for you."

Speaking sweetly, the clerk instructed, and I began to peruse the display case.

"Let's see, 113, 113..."

The accessory labeled as 113 is indeed the 'Snow Rabbit's Ring'.

"My word! Handsome doesn't begin to describe you. Always smiling is so charming!"

As I searched, the clerk's voice piped up once more.

"Is that so?"

"Absolutely! I've never seen anyone more dignified in my time here!"

"Hoho..."

I couldn't help but smile lightly.

While compliments are never unwelcome, she was insinuating praise upon 'Yulian's' appearance.

Though I've grown more accustomed to it recently, it wasn't as if the feeling of unease had completely dissipated.

'His face isn't bad or anything, but...'

That alone wouldn't compel one to act overly familiar.

It was rather unsettling.

"Come to think of it, that reminds me of something!"

"What might that be?"

"There's a rumor from the capital! That there's an executioner for the royal family who roams around smiling and killing people!"

"Oh... Is that so?"

That's me.

"Doesn't that sound insane? How could anyone smile while killing! No matter what orders the imperial family give!"

The clerk's voice began to rise, and I scrutinized the display more carefully to avoid her vaguely accusatory tone.

"... Hmm?"

It was then that I noticed something odd.

"Ma'am, what's supposed to be in this place?"

I gestured towards the space labeled as spot 113 within the display.

"You mean that? If it isn't there, someone must have bought it!" she responded as if stating the obvious.

That posed a problem, considering it was a holy relic.

In 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Right Now〉, the 'ring' had never disappeared from this supposed spot.

Not even once.

Even if the 'game' didn't follow its original path, the story wouldn't have changed considerably.

It wasn't an item noteworthy for its design to attract such intent pursuing, after all.

In North Watch, where practicality is paramount, who would buy an old ring shaped like a rabbit?

'Yet it's not here.'

In the exceedingly rare chance..., really seldom might someone have bought it just by coincidence.

Such a case would be fortunate.

It would mean someone purely fancied its design.

'If not...'

What if someone acquired it precisely knowing its worth as a holy relic?

'That would indeed be troublesome.'

Because that meant there is someone besides me who knows about this game.

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